The Utah Jazz should go into the regular season limiting the minutes of the team’s rookies.
It’s fair to say the rookies have not impressed across the offseason and preseason. The trio of Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh have either been inconsistent or unable to play, and that has led to a lackluster debut for the youngsters. By no means is this the end of their career because they’ve had a lackluster start, but it is a sign that others are more qualified to start, especially if the team has playoff hopes.
Yet, some are talking about how the trio has shone at in-house scrimmages, and now some fans are wondering if the trio deserves more minutes. All three seemingly had moments that played out where they got a chance to showcase their best attributes. Sensabaugah shot well, George made plays with the ball in his hand and Hendricks was rebounding very well.
And that’s great. But it’s an in-house scrimmage against various members of the Utah Jazz. Where was this efficiency against teams in the Summer League and preseason? It’ll come more honest as the three youngsters get their reps and minutes in practice, and who knows, by the mid-way point this year, the trio may be getting solid minutes for one reason or another.
But right now, the Jazz shouldn’t be leaning on them because the Jazz don’t need to. The starting five seems to be Talen Horton-Tucker, Jordan Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Walker Kessler, while Collin Sexton, Kris Dunn, Kelly Olynyk, and Ochai Agbaji make up the bench squad.
Where is there room to get George, Sensabaugh, or Hendricks any minutes? If trades are made, with guys like Sexton, Horton-Tucker and either Collins or Olynyk being dealt, then sure, make some changes to the rotation, but until that happens, the Jazz just don’t need the rookies to get minutes in order for the squad to win.
But if winning is no longer the goal come the trade deadline, let’s see what the youngsters can do.